Effect of shock wave therapy associated with aerobic exercise on cellulite: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Cellulite is a multifactor and controversial condition. Several methods have been explored to reduce it, not always with favorable results. Shock Wave Therapy has been shown to be effective, but the results of its association with an Aerobic Exercise Program are unknown. AIMS: To verify whether Shock Wave Therapy in association with an Aerobic Exercise Program reduces the degree of severity of Cellulite in the gluteal region and in the ⅓ of the proximal posterior of the thigh. METHODS: Forty-five healthy women, aged from 18 to 32, randomly assigned, considering the severity degree in the Cellulite Severity Scale and the level of physical activity, in three groups: two experimental and one control group. The control group performed the evaluations. The experimental group 1 performed an Aerobic Exercise Program, and the experimental group 2 associated this program with a Radial Shock Wave Therapy protocol. The experimental groups completed six interventions within 3 weeks. In addition, the degree of severity in the Cellulite Severity Scale, height, body composition, skin temperature, and subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness were assessed. One-way ANOVA test and Kruskal-Wallis were used to obtain the results, with level of significance of 0.05. RESULTS: Forty-two women completed the study. There was a significant reduction in the severity of Cellulite between experimental group 2 and group 1 (P = 0.032), and from group 2 to the control group (P = 0.042). CONCLUSION: The association of Shock Wave Therapy and Aerobic Exercise was shown to be effective in reducing the severity of cellulite.

Effect of four sessions of aerobic exercise with abdominal radiofrequency in adipose tissue in healthy women: Randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal adiposity is a cardiovascular risk factor; it is assumed that the combination of radiofrequency and physical exercise may decrease this excess of adipose tissue. PURPOSE: To analyze the effect of four intervention sessions on abdominal adipose tissue. METHODOLOGY: The study analyzes the effect of four sessions of aerobic exercise combined with radiofrequency. Participants were 28 healthy female volunteers, aged 18-28 years, randomly assigned to an experimental group and a placebo group. They were characterized by a sociodemographic questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Food Frequency Questionnaire. The groups performed four sessions of abdominal radiofrequency followed by moderate aerobic exercise, assessing body mass, body mass index, fat mass, waist circumference, waist/height ratio, subcutaneous adipose thickness, and horizontal abdominal adipose fold at the first and fourth sessions. In the experimental group, a percentage of potency was used that allowed to maintain the temperature between 40°C and 42°C to the epidermis. In the placebo group, the power of the radiofrequency was 0 W. To compare results, Student's t test was used for a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in waist circumference, abdominal subcutaneous adipose thickness, and horizontal abdominal fold in the experimental group compared to the placebo group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Combined exercise intervention with radiofrequency has been shown to be effective in reducing abdominal adiposity.

Effect of an aerobic exercise session combined with abdominal radiofrequency on lipolytic activity in women: Randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal adiposity is a cardiovascular risk factor; it is assumed that the combination of radiofrequency and physical exercise may decrease this excess of adipose tissue. PURPOSE: To understand whether an aerobic physical exercise session associated with abdominal radiofrequency increases the level of lipolytic activity. METHODOLOGY: The study analyzes the effect of a combined aerobic exercise session with radiofrequency. Participants were 30 healthy female volunteers, aged 18-28 years, randomly assigned to an experimental group and placebo group. They were characterized by a sociodemographic questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Food Frequency Questionnaire. The groups performed an abdominal radiofrequency session followed by moderate aerobic exercise, assessing glycerol concentration and lipid profile values before and after the intervention. In the experimental group, a percentage of potency was used that allowed to maintain the temperature between 40º C and 42º C to the epidermis. In the placebo group, the power of the radiofrequency was 0 Watt. To compare results, Student's t test was used for a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in glycerol concentrations between groups (P > 0.05). There were no changes in the lipid profile of both groups after the intervention (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The association of exercise with radiofrequency did not present an increased effect on lipolytic activity when compared to the isolated exercise. The application of this technique is a safe intervention.

Effects of radiofrequency on adipose tissue: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Equipment that acts in the reduction in adipose tissue are becoming widely investigated. One of the resources that begin to gain recognition is radiofrequency. PURPOSE: To verify the existence of scientific evidence and the methodological quality of the articles on the effects of radiofrequency in the reduction in adipose tissue. METHODOLOGY: Systematic review with meta-analysis on the effects of radiofrequency on adipose tissue. The research was carried out using several databases and including experimental studies only in humans. The evaluation of the methodological quality of the articles was done based on the PEDro Scale. RESULTS: Twelve articles related with adipose tissue and cellulitis were included. There was a great variability of protocols, and the methodological quality was generally low and the methods most used for the evaluation of results were anthropometry, photography, and histopathology. Clinical results suggest a positive effect of radiofrequency on the reduction in adipose tissue, proving an increase in adipocyte lipolysis. After statistical analysis, it was verified that the anthropometry presented questionable results. CONCLUSION: The clinical results of the studies point to the positive effects of radiofrequency on the reduction in adipose tissue; however, the low methodological make this topic still debatable, requiring more controlled studies.